Cherry Blossom Queen Candidates Sought

SAN FRANCISCO — The 2016 Northern California Cherry Blossom Queen Program Committee seeks enthusiastic, community-minded, young Nikkei women to participate in the 2016 Northern California Cherry Blossom Queen Program.

Held in San Francisco’s historic Japantown, the 49th annual Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival will be held on the weekends of April 9-10 and April 16-17.

The Queen Program will take place at the Sundance Kabuki Cinemas on April 9, at which time the new 2016 Queen and Court will be selected.

The committee is seeking qualified young women who will:

1. Serve as goodwill ambassadors for the Japanese American community of Northern California;

2. Endeavor to preserve, promote and perpetuate the Japanese American culture through active participation in civic and community events;

3. Uphold the highest values and morals as role models for today’s youth while striving to preserve the traditions and values of past Japanese American generations.

Qualified candidates must be:

1. At minimum 18 years of age, and not more than 26 years of age as of April 9, 2016;

2. Single and not previously married;

3. At least 50 percent Japanese ancestry;

4. A U.S. citizen who has lived in Northern California for at least three years; a foreign national with permanent status of at least 1 year who has lived in Northern California for at least three years; or a foreign national who has resided in Northern California for at least three years;

5. Able to serve the full term of service, which is one calendar year;

Completed applications must be submitted by Friday, Dec. 18. Forms can be found at http://tinyurl.com/NCCBFQP16.

For further information, visit www.nccbfqueenprogram.org.